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FA Statement regarding 3G Pitches - Please read!!
Phillip Hawkins19 Feb 2016 - 14:16
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A statement released by the Hampshire FA today on recent concerns about the safety of 3G artificial pitches….
We hope it satisifies any concerns parents may have after recent reports in some newspapers and on social media.
3rd generation football turf is recognised as a durable, safe, year-round playing surface, able to withstand regular use and all kinds of weather. It enables significant increases in sports participation, ensuring far more individuals and communities benefit from all the associated social and health benefits of physical activity.
From time to time concerns are raised in the media as to the safety or environmental risks associated with these pitches and their constituent parts, commonly SBR crumb rubber. Our own extensive research suggests that these claims have no foundation in fact and lack any scientific evidence to substantiate them.
We believe that reliable scientific data should be the basis of any discussion regarding the safety of 3G pitches and the crumb rubber infill. The numerous scientific studies conducted by government agencies around the world, and undertaken by independent experts have all validated the human health and environmental safety of 3G pitches and crumb rubber. We hold a bibliography of this research with in-depth findings and data which we can provide on request.
Additionally, over the past 12 months Labosport – an independent laboratory that specialises in the testing of sports surfaces – has assessed crumb rubber in the UK, EU and USA to the same test method that is required for the testing of children’s toys (EN 71-3 – Safety of toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements (Material of Category III)). It has not once found any toxicology issues doing these tests.
We take the health, safety, and welfare of 3G pitch users very seriously and The FA has a register of approved pitches. To ensure all reasonable actions are taken to validate the safety of our users, and suitability of the facilities that we fund, the authorities monitor scientific data on a regular basis. Should any new credible scientific data be identified in the future we will review our guidance at such time. Equally, if an independent agency or testing organisation decides to conduct new objective and science-based research on the safety of 3G pitches and crumb rubber, we will assist in any way we can.
At present the preponderance of evidence very clearly shows no negative health effects associated with crumb rubber in synthetic turf and we believe that we have taken all reasonable measures to ensure that the pitches we use and fund in England are safe and present no known hazard to health.
3rd generation football turf is recognised as a durable, safe, year-round playing surface, able to withstand regular use and all kinds of weather. It enables significant increases in sports participation, ensuring far more individuals and communities benefit from all the associated social and health benefits of physical activity.
From time to time concerns are raised in the media as to the safety or environmental risks associated with these pitches and their constituent parts, commonly SBR crumb rubber. Our own extensive research suggests that these claims have no foundation in fact and lack any scientific evidence to substantiate them.
We believe that reliable scientific data should be the basis of any discussion regarding the safety of 3G pitches and the crumb rubber infill. The numerous scientific studies conducted by government agencies around the world, and undertaken by independent experts have all validated the human health and environmental safety of 3G pitches and crumb rubber. We hold a bibliography of this research with in-depth findings and data which we can provide on request.
Additionally, over the past 12 months Labosport – an independent laboratory that specialises in the testing of sports surfaces – has assessed crumb rubber in the UK, EU and USA to the same test method that is required for the testing of children’s toys (EN 71-3 – Safety of toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements (Material of Category III)). It has not once found any toxicology issues doing these tests.
We take the health, safety, and welfare of 3G pitch users very seriously and The FA has a register of approved pitches. To ensure all reasonable actions are taken to validate the safety of our users, and suitability of the facilities that we fund, the authorities monitor scientific data on a regular basis. Should any new credible scientific data be identified in the future we will review our guidance at such time. Equally, if an independent agency or testing organisation decides to conduct new objective and science-based research on the safety of 3G pitches and crumb rubber, we will assist in any way we can.
At present the preponderance of evidence very clearly shows no negative health effects associated with crumb rubber in synthetic turf and we believe that we have taken all reasonable measures to ensure that the pitches we use and fund in England are safe and present no known hazard to health.
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